In January 1859, during the Colorado gold rush, a prospector named George A. Jackson made a significant discovery of placer gold at the present-day site of Idaho Springs. This event marked the first substantial gold find in Colorado. Jackson, a native of Missouri with prior experience in the California goldfields, was drawn to the region due to the sight of steam rising from nearby hot springs.
He initially kept his discovery a secret for several months. However, when he used gold dust to pay for supplies, word spread, and others hurried to Jackson's diggings. The location was initially referred to as "Jackson's Diggings." As it evolved into a permanent settlement, it underwent various name changes, including "Sacramento City," "Idahoe," "Idaho," "Idaho City," and finally "Idaho Springs."
The identification of gold veins within the canyon walls on both sides of Clear Creek soon followed the initial placer gold discoveries. Hard rock mining emerged as the primary economic activity of the town long after the gold-bearing gravels had been depleted.
Moving forward to 1903, a significant event known as the Idaho Springs miners' strike occurred. Miners demanded an eight-hour workday, which escalated into violence in May. This conflict was part of the broader Colorado Labor Wars, during which the Western Federation of Miners aimed to exert pressure on mining companies to improve working conditions for miners.
Shifting to the realm of popular culture, the town of Idaho Springs appeared in the world of cinema. In 1969, the film "Downhill Racer" depicted the story of an alpine ski racer hailing from Idaho Springs, portrayed by Robert Redford. A brief scene from the movie was filmed on location in Idaho Springs. Additionally, in the spring of 2008, several scenes from the comedy film "The Overbrook Brothers" were shot in this picturesque town.
More pictures of Colorado Mining history: https://amzn.to/3FCjxRr
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